Now, Jaguar has released information on the car’s fuel economy, claiming that the new XE will be the most fuel-efficient model in the marque’s history. This is due in part to the car’s efficient Ingenium engines but primarily because of its aluminum-intensive lightweight construction.

Jaguar boasts that its XE in certain guises, most likely diesel, will be able to achieve better than 58.8 mpg in European combined cycle testing. That makes the XE more efficient than its rivals and just a couple of mpgs less efficient than the Toyota Prius in the same European combined cycle testing. It should be noted that EPA ratings are typically lower than those of the European tests.

Going forward, lightweight construction will become a core element of Jaguar’s DNA and Jaguar, together with sister brand Land Rover, is at the cutting-edge of aluminum technology in the automotive industry. For example, the XE will be the first car in the world to make use of a new grade of high strength aluminum called RC 5754.

But using aluminum doesn’t only help save fuel. Thanks to exceptionally stiff bonded and riveted construction techniques, the XE will also offer exceptional torsional stiffness. This will ensure the XE offers both a supple ride and high levels of impact safety.